2021 Nissan Sentra vs 2021 BMW 5 Series

The 2021 BMW 5 Series had a restrained design, lacking the flourishes of the 3 Series and the imposing size of the 7 Series. It received a minor styling refresh for the 2021 model year, featuring sleeker LED headlights and a larger twin-kidney grille. The car also had trapezoidal tailpipes, new L-shaped taillights, and updated bumpers for the M Sport Package. The interior maintained the familiar BMW layout, with specific design elements like the touchscreen positioning and the unusual-looking shifter. Lower trim levels came with SensaTec upholstery, while higher trims offered Dakota and Nappa leather options.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra entered its eighth generation with an athletic exterior, featuring crisp lines and a bold V-Motion grille. The car offered eight exterior paint colors and three two-tone paint schemes for the SR trim. Inside, the Sentra had a layered dash with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen on higher trims. The flat-bottomed multi-function steering wheel added a sporty touch, and the second row was roomy but better suited for two passengers. The trunk offered 14.3 cubic feet of cargo space, with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat for larger items.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series offered a range of powertrain options. The base 530i had a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds. The 540i featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, producing 335 hp and 362 lb-ft of torque, and achieving 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds with rear-wheel drive. The M550i xDrive had a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with 532 hp, while the M5 offered 617 hp in Competition spec. The 530e plug-in hybrid combined a 2.0-liter engine with an electric motor, producing 288 hp and achieving 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra came with a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. It featured front-wheel drive with an Xtronic CVT, offering fuel economy of 29 mpg city/39 mpg highway/33 mpg combined for S and SV models. The Sentra had a four-wheel independent suspension and dual-pinion electric steering, providing tidy road manners and almost fun cornering. The SV and SR models had front and rear disc brakes, while the S model had front disc/rear drums.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series was available as a four-door, five-seat sedan in the U.S. It offered spacious front seats and a rear bench with a 40/20/20 split fold. The trunk had 14.0 cubic feet of space, more than the Audi A6 or Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The test car had 16-way power front seats with heating and ventilation, but forward visibility was poor due to the long, high hood.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra had well-placed features within the interior, including an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen on higher trims. It had a traditional gear selector lever, open cupholders, and roomy covered storage. The car featured two USB-A ports, one USB-C port, and a 12-volt port. The Zero Gravity front bucket seats provided comfort on long rides, and the Premium Package offered additional features like heated front seats and a power-sliding glass moonroof.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series came with a standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. It included Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. The rotary knob controller provided a tactile feel, and voice control was available. Gesture controls were also an option but were less precise than traditional controls.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra had a standard audio system with four speakers in the S model, upgraded to six speakers in SV and SR models. An optional Bose system with eight speakers was available in the SR. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration were standard, along with Bluetooth audio and hands-free text-messaging assistant. The SV and SR models had an 8-inch touchscreen, and NissanConnect services offered features like a WiFi hotspot and remote access to vehicle functions.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series had not been crash-tested by the IIHS, but the 2020 model received a “Top Safety Pick+” award. Standard safety features included lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic high beams. The Driving Assistance Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, traffic-jam assist, lane-keep assist, and emergency stop assist.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra came with a comprehensive array of standard safety features, including multiple airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system with Easy-Fill Tire Alert, and Nissan Safety Shield 360. Standard driver assistance features included intelligent forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Sentra received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.